For the second time, I stepped into the jungle—more determined than ever.
But there was one thing I had completely forgotten... this damn reincarnation made me younger.
I'm probably 15 or 16. Yeah, I know, bit late to mention it now, but honestly, age wasn't exactly a top priority before.
Now that we're on the topic, let me describe myself a bit...
I've got salt-and-pepper hair, slightly tan skin, a sharp jawline, and a face I think is decent.
My eyes? Honey-colored.
I'd give myself a solid 9 out of 10 — good-looking enough not to cringe at a mirror, but not so much that girls start drooling.
That score's mostly thanks to the body I've built.
Lean, strong, and agile — like a rock climber. Functional and tight.
Anyway, back to the real story.
I've been training for months, and now, if I fought my past self, I'd win with my eyes closed.
These days, I can even boost my senses — sight, hearing, all of it.
So I tuned up my senses, headed deep into parts of the jungle I hadn't explored before.
Marked the trees as I went, killed animals or avoided them depending on my mood.
After a few hours of hiking, I heard something.
And I swear, no one could guess what it was.
Water.
A river!
Real fresh water — not that coconut-tasting crap. My whole body lit up with excitement.
I ran toward the sound. Slowed down when I got close. Stayed sharp.
Didn't want some venomous snake jumping out from under a leaf.
Let's be real — I'm still not at the top of the food chain.
Once I checked the area, I drank. A lot.
You've no idea how good that water tasted.
Honestly, it was one of the best moments since I reincarnated.
Didn't think I'd get choked up over drinking water... but I did.
Pulled myself together. No time for weakness.
I memorized the river's location and started heading upstream, deeper into the island.
The cool air, the scent of flowers near the water, sunlight kissing my skin —
for a while, I just walked and thought.
When noon hit, I ate some wild fruit I had found earlier. Then kept moving.
A thought sparked in my head:
Why not spend a few days in the jungle? Not head back to the shore before sunset.
As I was moving between trees, lost in thought, I suddenly heard something behind me.
I sharpened my hearing.
Damn... it wasn't just one sound. It was several.
I got ready fast. Grabbed my two bone swords. Boosted them.
Out of the bushes, a pack of wolves jumped out... eight? Maybe nine!
And yep — just like everything else on this island, they were huge.
They surrounded me.
I was just a piece of meat to them, and they were figuring out who gets first bite.
The first one lunged for my right shoulder.
I dodged, rammed my sword straight into its throat.
Blood sprayed. My hand got soaked.
Before I could breathe, the second one leaped. I darted left, took cover behind a tree.
Didn't want one sneaking up on me.
Another came in. I aimed for the eyes —
but my blade crushed its skull. Way more damage than I expected.
Next one charged. I boosted my legs, dodged hard,
slashed as I passed — gutted the bastard open.
But... it felt like their plan was to wear me out. And it was working.
I was burning through stamina.
I had to do something.
Don't know if it was adrenaline or straight-up madness, but I took a gamble.
Boosted my brain.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Sounds were sharper, movements slower — like time itself was dragging.
In that state, the wolves moved like they were underwater.
I took them down one by one.
But my body was screaming. I had nothing left.
I dragged myself back to the river.
Jumped in.
And the last thought I had before blacking out was:
"Just hope there aren't any damn piranhas in here…"